Warning of nurse exodus after 2020

The Irish health sector could face staffing shortages and problems accessing medicines because of Brexit, the vice-president of the European parliament has warned.

Mairead McGuinness said the impact would not be apparent until 2020 because of a transition phase expected to come into effect after the deadline next year but she anticipated problems.

Threats specifically to Ireland included recruiting and retaining doctors and nurses, she said. “The UK attracts a significant number of Irish healthcare workers into the NHS and there are fears that this might escalate post- Brexit, leaving the Irish system with increased staffing problems,” she said. A large number of EU citizens work in the NHS and it is expected that a significant chunk of these will leave after Brexit.